Urgent: Carney Meets Trump Today to Address Trade Crisis

UPDATE: Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump today in Washington, D.C., at 11:45 a.m. EST to discuss the escalating trade tensions between the two nations. This urgent meeting comes amid a backdrop of growing pressures as Canada faces a significant trade crisis due to Trump’s tariffs.

Carney’s visit marks the second Oval Office meeting since Trump launched his trade war against Canada, and it is expected to focus on “shared priorities in a new economic and security relationship,” according to Carney’s office. The Prime Minister is anticipated to arrive at the White House at 11:30 a.m. EST, with a working luncheon hosted by Trump scheduled for 12:15 p.m. EST.

Trump remarked on the impending meeting, stating, “Carney is coming probably to talk about tariffs because a lot of companies are leaving Canada to come into the U.S.” This critical dialogue underscores the urgency as businesses weigh their options amidst rising tariffs, with Trump noting, “Everybody’s moving back into the U.S.”

The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed that trade will be a key topic during the meeting, emphasizing that “the President looks forward to having that discussion with Carney.” This high-stakes conversation comes as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pressed Carney to “negotiate a win” for Canada, reflecting widespread concern over the economic impact of trade policies.

Carney’s office has reported that Canada currently enjoys the lowest average tariff rate of any American trading partner, with 85% of its trade with the U.S. being tariff-free. However, the pressure is mounting to renegotiate terms that would benefit both nations, especially as Carney met with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith prior to his departure, where she expressed a desire for a swift renegotiation of the Canada-U.S. free trade agreement.

Ahead of this critical meeting, both nations have initiated public consultations regarding the upcoming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement, known as CUSMA. The U.S. Trade Representative is set to commence 45 days of public consultations prior to the review scheduled for next year.

As the clock ticks toward the meeting, eyes are on Carney and Trump to see if they can bridge the gap and foster a more favorable trade environment. The outcome of this meeting could have profound implications for businesses and economies on both sides of the border.

Stay tuned for live updates as the situation unfolds.